1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Purpose of the Environmental Monitoring and Audit Manual
1.1.1
The
purpose of this Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) Manual is to
guide the setup of an EM&A programme to ensure the effective implementation
of mitigation measures recommended in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Study, relevant environmental protection, and pollution prevention and control
legislation. The EM&A programme will be used to assess the effectiveness
of, inter alia, the implementation of the recommended mitigation measures,
and to identify any further need for additional mitigation measures or remedial
actions.
1.1.2
This
Manual outlines the monitoring and audit programme for the construction and
operation phases of the proposed Project, namely “Hang Hau Tsuen Channel at Lau
Fau Shan” (hereinafter referred to as “the Project”). It aims to provide
systematic procedures for monitoring, auditing and minimizing the environmental
impacts associated with the construction works.
1.1.3
Findings,
recommendations and requirements of the EIA, all relevant requirements under
the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) and other environmental
legislation, the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines (HKPSG) are
adopted in the preparation of this EM&A Manual.
1.1.4
The
EM&A requirements are prepared in accordance with the requirements
stipulated in Annex 21 of the Technical Memorandum on EIA Process (EIAO-TM) and
the EIA Study Brief (ESB-167/2007). Reference has also been made to EPD’s
“Environmental Monitoring and Audit Guidelines for Development Projects in
1.1.5
This
EM&A Manual contains the following information:
(a)
duties of
the Environmental Team (ET), the ET Leader, the Independent Environmental
Checker (IEC), Engineer’s Representative (ER) and the Contractor, in relation
to the project’s environmental monitoring and audit requirements during
construction;
(b)
information
on the project organisation and programming of construction activities;
(c)
the project
construction schedule and the necessary environmental monitoring and audit
programme to track the environmental impacts;
(d)
requirements
for the review of pollution sources and working procedures in the event of
non-compliance of the project’s environmental performance criteria;
(e)
environmental
monitoring protocols and their technical requirements;
(f)
environmental
auditing procedures;
(g)
requirements
for the documentation of environmental monitoring and audit data, and
appropriate reporting procedures; and
(h)
complaint
resolution procedures.
1.1.6
For
the purpose of this EM&A Manual, the “Engineer” shall refer to the engineer
as defined in the Contract and the Engineer’s Representative (ER), in cases
where the Engineer’s powers have been delegated to the ER, in accordance with
the Contract. The ET Leader, who shall be responsible for and in charge of the
ET, shall refer to the person delegated the role of executing the environmental
monitoring requirements. The IEC shall undertake the auditing role.
1.2.1
The squatter area in the vicinity of the
existing Hang Hau Tsuen stream was cleared in 1997. The poor hydraulic
performance of the Hang Hau Tsuen stream is attributed partly to the siltation
of the watercourse by the remains of the former squatter structures, and also
to the meandering watercourse and the presence of an under-sized box culvert at
1.3 Project Location and Scope
1.3.1
The Project is located in Hang Hau Tsuen
at Lau Fau Shan,
1.3.2
The
Project comprises the construction of the Hang Hau Tsuen Channel and associated
works to improve the local drainage systems in the Hang Hau Tsuen area.
1.3.3
The Project involves the following works:
(i)
Training of Hang Hau Tsuen stream including construction of a
370 m long drainage channel connecting to the downstream ends of Fung Kong
Tsuen Channel and San Hing Tsuen Channel to
(ii)
Construction of a 25 m long triple-cell box culvert 5.5 m (W)
x 3 m (H) beneath the
(iii)
Provision of a 3.5 m wide access road with passing bays along
the northern bank of the channel, 3.5 m wide maintenance access road along the
southern bank of the channel and 2.0 m wide footpath on both sides of the
channel and ancillary works such as retaining walls, drainage and water works
as well as the associated landscaping works.
1.3.4
As
requested by a Yuen Long District Council member, a viewing point and car park
will be provided at the downstream end of the proposed channel to allow
visitors to enjoy the scenery of
1.4 Project Implementation Programme
1.4.1
The implementation
programme for the Project is tentatively expected to start in end 2009 for
completion by end 2012.
1.5 Mitigation Measures listed in the EIA Report
1.5.1
The
construction and operational phases impacts of the Project are assessed and
presented in the EIA Report. Mitigation measures to be implemented for air
quality, noise, water quality, waste management, ecology, and landscape &
visual impact are included in separate Chapters of this EM&A Manual. The
implementation schedule for the full list of mitigation measures proposed under
the EIA is included in Appendix A
of this Manual.
1.6.1
The
project organisation and lines of communication with respect to environmental
protection works is shown in Figure 1.5.
1.6.2
The
general duties / responsibilities of various parties comprise the following:
Contractor
1.6.3
The
Contractor shall be responsible for:
(a)
employ an ET to undertake monitoring, laboratory analysis and reporting
of environmental monitoring and audit;
(b)
work within the scope of the relevant contract and other tender
conditions;
(c)
implement environmental controls and mitigation as set out in this
manual as well as any additional measures necessary for compliance with the
environmental control standards;
(d)
participate in the site inspections undertaken by the ET and IEC, as
required, and undertake any corrective actions as instructed by the Engineer;
(e)
provide information / advice to the ET regarding works activities which
may contribute, or be continuing to the generation of adverse environmental conditions;
(f)
implement measures to reduce impact whenever Action and Limit Levels are
exceeded; and
(g)
take responsibility and strictly adhere to the guidelines of the
EM&A programme.
(h)
comply with and observe all Ordinances, bye-laws, regulations and rules
for the time being in force in Hong Kong governing the control of any form of
pollution, including air, noise, water and waste pollution; and
(i)
operate and strictly adhere to the guidelines of the Environmental
Management Plan (EMP) developed by the contractor.
The Engineer
1.6.4
The
term Engineer, or Engineer’s Representative (ER), refers to the organisation
responsible for overseeing the construction works or operation of the Project
and monitoring the works undertaken by various Contractors, and for ensuring that
the works are undertaken in accordance with the specification and contractual
requirements. The Engineer shall be responsible for:
(a)
ensure that the EM&A programme is fully implemented in accordance
with the Environmental Permit issued upon approval of the EIA and this EM&A
Manual;
(b)
ensure that the Contractor is implementing environmental controls and
mitigation as set out in the contract specifications, Environmental Permit
issued upon approval of the EIA and this EM&A Manual as well as any
additional measures necessary for compliance with the environmental control
standards;
(c)
ensure that the Contractor is implementing and enforcing Event / Action Plans
when exceedances of Action and Limit Levels or complaints occur;
(d)
provide assistance to the ET as necessary in the implementation of the
environmental monitoring and audit programme; and
(e)
implementing a `stop work' action if necessary when repeated exceedance
of target levels justifies this action.
Environmental
Team (ET)
1.6.5
The
ET Leader and the ET shall not be in any way an associated body of the
Contractor. The ET shall be led and managed by the ET Leader. The ET Leader shall
have relevant education, training, professional qualification and at least 7
years experience in EM&A for environmental management works subject to
approval of the ER and EPD.
1.6.6
Suitable
qualified staff shall be included in the ET, and resources for the
implementation of the EM&A programme shall be allocated in time under the
Contract, to enable fulfilment of the Project’s EM&A requirements as
stipulated in the EM&A Manual.
1.6.7
The
ET Leader and the ET shall be employed to conduct the EM&A programme and
ensure the Contractor’s compliance with the Project’s environmental performance
requirements during construction and operation of the Project. The duties shall
include:
(a)
sampling, analysis and statistical evaluation of monitoring parameters
with reference to the EIA study final report recommendations and requirements;
(b)
establishing the Action and Limit Levels of air quality and water quality;
(c)
environmental site inspections;
(d)
audit of compliance with the environmental protection, and pollution
prevention and control regulations;
(e)
monitor the implementation of environmental mitigation measures;
(f)
monitor the compliance with the environmental protection clauses /
specifications in the Contract;
(g)
review construction and operation programme and comment as necessary;
(h)
review construction and operation methodology and comment as necessary;
(i)
complaint investigation, evaluation and identification of corrective
measures;
(j)
liaison with the IEC on all environmental performance matters, and
timely submission of all relevant EM&A proforma for the approval by IEC;
(k)
liaison with all relevant parties during the implementation of action
plans when exceedance of Action and Limit Levels occur;
(l)
advice to the Contractor on environmental improvement, awareness,
enhancement matters, etc. on site;
(m)
modify the EM&A programme in consultation with ER, IEC, EPD and AFCD
if necessary throughout the period of works; and
(n)
timely submission of the EM&A report to the project proponent and
the EPD.
Independent Environmental Checker (IEC)
1.6.8
The
IEC shall advise the ER on environmental issues related to the Project. The
role of the IEC shall be independent from the management of construction and
operation activities, but shall be empowered to audit the environmental
performance of the Project.
1.6.9
The IEC
shall be employed by the project proponent before the commencement of the
Project. The IEC shall have at least 7 years experience in EM&A or
environmental management. The IEC shall not be in any way an associated body of
the Contractor or the ET of the Project. The appointment of the IEC is subject
to the approval of the ER and project proponent.
1.6.10
The
IEC shall audit the overall EM&A programme including the implementation of
all environmental mitigation measures, submissions relating to EM&A, and
any other submission required under the environmental permit.
1.6.11
In
addition, the IEC shall be responsible for verifying the environmental acceptability
of permanent and temporary works, relevant design plans, contemporaneous
log-book and submissions under the environmental permit.
1.6.12
The
IEC shall arrange and conduct monthly general site inspections of the work site
during the construction period. The IEC shall ensure the impact monitoring is
conducted according to the prescribed schedule at the correct locations as
identified in this Manual.
1.6.13
The
IEC shall report the findings of the site inspections and other environmental
performance reviews to the project proponent and the EPD.
1.6.14
The main
duty of the IEC is to carry out environmental audit of the construction and
operation of the Project, which shall include, inter alia, the following:
(a)
review and
audit all aspects of the EM&A programme;
(b)
validate
and confirm the accuracy of the monitoring results, monitoring equipment,
monitoring locations, monitoring procedures and locations of sensitive
receivers;
(c)
carry out
random sample check and audit on monitoring data and sampling procedures, etc;
(d)
conduct
random site inspection;
(e)
audit the
EIA recommendations and requirements against the status of implementation of
environmental protection measures on site;
(f)
review the
effectiveness of environmental mitigation measures and project environmental
performance;
(g)
on a needs
basis, verify and certify the environmental acceptability of the Contractor’s
construction methodology, relevant design plans and any submissions under the
environmental permit. Where necessary, IEC should seek the least impact
alternative in consultation with the ER, ET Leader and the Contractor;
(h)
verify the
investigation results of complaint cases and the effectiveness of corrective
measures;
(i)
review and
audit in an independent, objective and professional manner in all aspects of
the EM&A programme;
(j)
feedback
audit results to ET Leader, ER and the Contractor according to Event and Action
Plans in the EM&A Manual; and
(k)
verify and
certify EM&A Reports prepared by the ET Leader.
1.7 Approved EIA Report and Environmental Permit
1.7.1
To
deal with key project changes after the approval of the EIA report, the project
proponent or the person in charge of the project shall seek written agreement
from the Director of Environmental Protection (the Director) on those project
changes that would affect the findings and recommendations of the approved EIA
report, and shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Director that the same
environmental performance requirements in the approved EIA report can be met by
equivalent or additional measures.
All such information shall be reviewed by the ET Leader and verified by
the IEC before submitting to the Director.
Such information shall be made available to the public, as directed by
the Director.
1.7.2
All
parties described in Section 1.6 (where applicable) are required to comply with
all the environmental permit conditions.